Patents by Inventor Erik T. Thostenson

Erik T. Thostenson has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • System and methods for use in monitoring a structure
    Patent number: 9329021
    Abstract: A system for use in monitoring a structure is provided. The system includes a strip of piezoresistive material including nano-elements, electrodes coupled to the strip, and a resistance detector configured to measure a resistance of the strip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2016
    Assignees: The Boeing Company, University of Delaware
    Inventors: Michael J. DeLuca, Christopher J. Felker, Dirk Heider, Gaurav Pandey, Ahmad Abu-Obaid, Erik T. Thostenson, John W. Gillespie, Jr.
  • Method and system for detecting damage in aligned carbon nanotube fiber composites using networks
    Patent number: 7786736
    Abstract: Methods and structural defect detectors for detecting a structural defect in composites are presented. An exemplary method includes forming a nanocomposite including a plurality of nanotubes mechanically aligned in a principal direction within a polymer matrix. A voltage is applied to the nanocomposite and a resistance of the nanocomposite is measured using the applied voltage to detect the structural defect. An exemplary structural defect detector includes a nanocomposite including a plurality of mechanically aligned nanotubes within the polymer matrix, electrodes coupled to the nanocomposite, a voltage source for applying a voltage to the electrodes, and a resistance detector for measuring a resistance of the nanocomposite that allows identification of a structural defect. The plurality of nanotubes form a conducting percolating network of sensors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2010
    Assignee: University of Delaware
    Inventors: Erik T. Thostenson, Tsu-Wei Chou
  • Method and system for detecting damage in aligned carbon nanotube fiber composites using networks
    Publication number: 20080173111
    Abstract: Methods and structural defect detectors for detecting a structural defect in composites are presented. An exemplary method comprises forming a nanocomposite comprising a plurality of nanotubes mechanically aligned in a principal direction within a polymer matrix. A voltage is applied to the nanocomposite and a resistance of the nanocomposite is measured using the applied voltage to detect the structural defect. An exemplary structural defect detector comprises a nanocomposite comprising a plurality of mechanically aligned nanotubes within the polymer matrix, electrodes coupled to the nanocomposite, a voltage source for applying a voltage to the electrodes, and a resistance detector for measuring a resistance of the nanocomposite that allows identification of a structural defect. The plurality of nanotubes form a conducting percolating network of sensors.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 2, 2007
    Publication date: July 24, 2008
    Inventors: Erik T. Thostenson, Tsu-Wei Chou